Stock Futures Fall as Government Shutdown Hits Day 3

Futures point to a lower open as a third day of the government shutdown follows a warning from President Obama that Wall Street should be concerned.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- U.S. stock futures were pointing to a lower opening Thursday despite a modestly positive labor report that followed President Obama's warning to Wall Street that investors should be concerned about the government shutdown and impending debt ceiling debate.

Thursday marked the third day of the so-called partial government shutdown, in which Congress failed to pass legislation to fund previously approved expenditures. Non-excepted, or "non-essential," federal employees remained on furlough without immediate pay. President Obama on Wednesday told CNBC that Wall Street should be "concerned" that Congress has yet to forge an agreement to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling, which the Treasury Department expects to reach on Oct. 17. The government would no longer be able to pay creditors for obligations lawmakers approved in previous sessions.

The Labor Department on Thursday said claims totaled 308,000 for the week ended Sept. 28, as the prior week's claims were revised slightly higher to 305,000. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters were expecting claims of 313,000. The four-week moving average dipped to 305,000 claims.

Investors were anticipating factory orders for August, but that report could be delayed because of the shutdown. The Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing index for September is to be issued at 10 a.m. Analysts are expecting the index to hit 57.4, which would be slightly lower than the previous month reading of 58.6.